Saturday (25-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening

It has been 5 days since the last AeroGarden hydroponic farm update. Many sprouts from the seeds planted seven days ago. Harvested a few more small yellow tomatoes, two zucchini, and several strawberries. All of the auxiliary water bottles needed to be refilled.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato plants at 128 days. Manually pollinating the tiny yellow flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.33 and the TDS was 333 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 0.5 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Various “edible” flowers (Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula) at 128 days. Trimmed and pruned the dead flowers and leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.62 and TDS was 244 ppm. Added 24 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL buffer up pH adjustment.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 02-Left. Pepper plants at 127 days. The pepper plants are getting bigger, but no flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.28 and the TDS was 170 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb plants (Dill, Basil, Chives) at 127 days. The dill and parsley doing OK, others not as good. Harvested some dill. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.42 and the TDS was 467 ppm. No additional Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants - Basil, Dill, Parsley (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants – Basil, Dill, Parsley (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 03-Left. Pepper and Basil plants at 127 days. The plants are getting bigger. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 6.24 and the TDS was 427 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Various flowers (Dianthus, Zinnia, unknown, poppy) at 70 days. Dianthus and Zinnia blooming. Unknown one growing, but no flowers. Red and California poppies not blooming yet. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.65 and TDS was 445 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Zinnia (70 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Zinnia (70 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. 3/12 sprouted. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.47 and TDS was 459 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added. Reset to germination mode (pump on 1 hr, off 11 hr).

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions/Scallions (all 12 positions) at 7 days. 12/12 sprouts. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.47 and TDS was 494 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers – Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, and Poppy at 79 days. Snapdragon flower about to open. Pruned some of the large zucchini leaves from the next tray blocking the plants. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.39 and TDS was 534 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 0.5 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers - Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers – Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini and other vegetables at 79 days. The zucchini plants growing vigorously, cut back some leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.41 and the TDS was 469 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 06-Left: Ground Cherries (all 12 positions). 6/12 sprouted. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.20 and TDS was 455 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added. Reset to germination mode (pump on 1 hr, off 11 hr).

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 06-Right: Burpee Sugar Snap Peas (positions 01-03); Snow Peas (positions 04-12). At 12 days, 11/12 sprouted. Noted some fuzzy white mold growing on the seeds. Some of the plants are growing very fast (up to 6″ high). The pH was 5.29 and TDS was 465 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 06-Right (12 days). Positions 1-3 Sweet Snap Peas, Positions 04-12 Snow Peas. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 06-Right (12 days). Positions 1-3 Sweet Snap Peas, Positions 04-12 Snow Peas. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry plants at 106 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.41 and TDS was 336 ppm. Added 24 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 24 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 1 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (106 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (106 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry plants at 106 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.13 and TDS was 130 ppm. Added 32 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 32 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 08-Left: Mustard (positions 01-06). At day 12 five of six plants sprouted, plants ~ 1″ tall. The pH was 6.36 and the TDS 481 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 08-Left. Positions 01-06 Mustard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08-Left. Positions 01-06 Mustard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 08-Right: Broccoli Raab (positions 01-06). At 12 days all positions sprouted, plants ~ 2″ tall. The pH was 6.08 and the TDS was 386 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 08-Right. Positions 01-12 Broccoli Raab at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08-Right. Positions 01-12 Broccoli Raab at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 09-Left: Swiss Chard (positions 02-07). At 12 days positions sprouted, new plants ~1″ tall. The larger plant at position 01 was transplanted from a different farm. The pH was 6.36 and the TDS was 383 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 09-Left. Position 01 Swiss Chard moved from other farm. Positions 02-07 Swiss Chard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 09-Left. Position 01 Swiss Chard moved from other farm. Positions 02-07 Swiss Chard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 09-Right: Bok Choi (positions 01-06). At Day 12 plants ~ 3″ tall. The pH was 6.54 and the TDS was 149 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 09-Right. Positions 01-02, 04-07 Bok Choi at day 12. Position 03 Bok Choi transferred from other Farm. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 09-Right. Positions 01-02, 04-07 Bok Choi at day 12. Position 03 Bok Choi transferred from other Farm. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 10-Left: Romaine Lettuce (positions 01-06). At day 12 plants ~1″ tall. The pH was 5.90 and the TDS was 455 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 10-Left. Positions 01-06 Romaine Lettuce at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10-Left. Positions 01-06 Romaine Lettuce at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Farm 10-Right: Spinach (positions 01-06). None of the seeds sprouted. The pH was 5.68 and the TDS was 485 ppm. Discarded, and restarted with Arugula (positions 01-06) and Molokai Greens (positions 07-12).

AeroGarden Farm 10-Right. Positions 01-06 Spinach at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10-Right. Positions 01-06 Spinach at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (72.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (2.3 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy Day. A deficit of 70 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

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Thursday (23-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening.

Flowers (first Coreopsis, Zinnia, and Dianthus), a Strawberry, and several seedlings (Bok Choi, Mustard, Broccoli Raab, Swiss Chard, Romaine Lettuce, Bunching Onions, and Peas) at 10 days.


Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.


AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)


Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.


Daily Electric Energy Used (88.7 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (30.4 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny Day. A deficit of 58.3 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions


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Tuesday (21-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening.

The Zucchini plant produces large (edible) yellow flowers. They appear to open in the morning, and then close at night. And I think that they only open for one day. I took an image of one using a Leica TL2 camera and 35 mm lens f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). The second version is a focus stacked image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Composite of 50 images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus (method B)

Male Zucchini Flower. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Male Zucchini Flower. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Male Zucchini Flower. Focus stacked image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Composite of 50 images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus (method B) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Male Zucchini Flower. Focus stacked image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Composite of 50 images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus (method B) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (95.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (40.4 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny Day. A deficit of 54.9 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

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Monday (20-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening

It has been a week since the last AeroGarden hydroponic farm update. Some sprouts from the seeds planted seven days ago. All of the auxiliary water bottles needed to be refilled.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato plants at 123 days. Manually pollinating the tiny yellow flowers. Harvested a few small yellow tomatoes. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.79 and the TDS was 459 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (123 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (123 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Various “edible” flowers (Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula) at 123 days. Trimmed and pruned the dead flowers and leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.78 and TDS was 198 ppm. Added 24 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL buffer up pH adjustment.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (123 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (123 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 02-Left. Pepper plants at 122 days. The pepper plants are getting bigger, but no flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.49 and the TDS was 153 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (122 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (122 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb plants (Dill, Basil, Chives) at 122 days. The dill and parsley doing OK, others not as good. Harvested some dill. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.47 and the TDS was 385 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants - Basil, Dill, Parsley (122 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants – Basil, Dill, Parsley (122 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 03-Left. Pepper and Basil plants at 122 days. The plants are getting bigger. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.07 and the TDS was 547 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 0.5 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (122 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (122 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Various flowers (Dianthus, Zinnia, unknown, poppy) at 65 days. Dianthus and Zinnia blooming. Unknown one growing, but no flowers. Red and California poppies not blooming yet. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 6.63 and TDS was 483 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (65 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 7 days. One tiny sprout, 3 possible sprouts, 8 no visible sprouts. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.39 and TDS was 449 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions/Scallions (all 12 positions) at 7 days. Ten sprouts, two dry sockets. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.34 and TDS was 481 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions (all 12 positions) at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions (all 12 positions) at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers – Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, and Poppy at 74 days. Snapdragon flower about to open. Pruned some of the large zucchini leaves from the next tray blocking the plants. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.25 and TDS was 578 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers - Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (74 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers – Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (74 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini and other vegetables at 74 days. The zucchini plants growing vigorously, others not as good. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.38 and the TDS was 400 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (74 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (74 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 06-Left: Ground Cherries (all 12 positions). One tiny sprout, eleven haven’t sprouted. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.15 and TDS was 478 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 06-Left. Ground Cherries (all 12 positions) at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 06-Left. Ground Cherries (all 12 positions) at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 06-Right: Burpee Sugar Snap Peas (positions 01-03); Snow Peas (positions 04-12). All positions sprouted. Noted some fuzzy white mold growing on the seeds. The pH was 6.22 and TDS was 496 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 06-Right. Positions 1-3 Sweet Snap Peas, Positions 04-12 Snow Peas. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 06-Right. Positions 1-3 Sweet Snap Peas, Positions 04-12 Snow Peas. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry plants at 101 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.48 and TDS was 253 ppm. Added 16 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 16 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry plants at 101 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.27 and TDS was 576 ppm. Added 16 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 16 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 08-Left: Mustard (positions 01-06). Five of six positions sprouted. The pH was 6.39 and the TDS 499 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 08-Left. Positions 01-06 Mustard at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08-Left. Positions 01-06 Mustard at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 08-Right: Broccoli Raab (positions 01-06). All positions sprouted. The pH was 6.24 and the TDS was 505 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 08-Right. Positions 01-12 Broccoli Raab. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08-Right. Positions 01-12 Broccoli Raab. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 09-Left: Swiss Chard (positions 02-07). All positions sprouted. The larger plant at position 01 was transplanted from a different farm. The pH was 6.36 and the TDS was 470 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 09-Left. Position 01 Swiss Chard moved from other farm. Positions 02-07 Swiss Chard at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 09-Left. Position 01 Swiss Chard moved from other farm. Positions 02-07 Swiss Chard at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 09-Right: Bok Choi (positions 01-06). All positions sprouted. The pH was 6.22 and the TDS was 450 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 09-Right. Positions 01-02, 04-07 Bok Choi at day 7. Position 03 Bok Choi transfered from other Farm. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 09-Right. Positions 01-02, 04-07 Bok Choi at day 7. Position 03 Bok Choi transfered from other Farm. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 10-Left: Romaine Lettuce (positions 01-06). The pH was 5.95 and the TDS was 475 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 10-Left. Positions 01-06 Romaine Lettuce at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10-Left. Positions 01-06 Romaine Lettuce at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Farm 10-Right: Spinach (positions 01-06). None of the seeds sprouted. The pH was 5.76 and the TDS was 486 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 10-Right. Positions 01-06 Spinach at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10-Right. Positions 01-06 Spinach at 7 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (91.1 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (40.8 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny Day. A deficit of 50.3 kWh.


Current Weather Conditions

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Wednesday (15-January-2020) — New Jersey

Backyard Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

There have been a number of comments in the local neighborhood site about the lack of birds (or squirrels) at bird feeders this winter. I am still seeing some, maybe not as many as last year. It has been warmer, so maybe some of the birds are finding other sources of food. Today, the following birds (and a squirrel) have been feeding on my patio and at my bird feeder: Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, House Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse.


Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.



Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.


House Wren. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1600, 600 mm, f/4, 1/320 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
House Wren. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1600, 600 mm, f/4, 1/320 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)


Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.



Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.


Squirrel with a black walnut. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1600, 600 mm, f/4, 1/320 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Squirrel with a black walnut. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1600, 600 mm, f/4, 1/320 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Squirrel with a black walnut. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1600, 600 mm, f/4, 1/320 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Squirrel with a black walnut. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1600, 600 mm, f/4, 1/320 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (77.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (36.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. More sun. A deficit of 41.2 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

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